Community Events & Newsletter July 28 – August 4

From CNY Solidarity Coalition:

Next Meeting: Sun. Aug.9, 7-8 PM, via Zoom. (In July and August meeting times will alternate between 3-4 pm and 7-8 pm) Agenda and link to come.

Following Meeting: 3-4 PM on 8/23/2020

Does Black Life Matter?

August 1. 11:30 AM at City Hall.

We need a major show of solidarity with the groups who have been demanding change in policing in Syracuse, and with the protests in Portland and hundreds of other places nationwide. These young people have been the local face of the most significant movement for social change in a generation. With Trump’s secret police kidnapping protestors, with an Air Force surveillance plane circling Portland, it is critical that large scale protests continue in every city.

“CNYSC members, please share the following rally information and call to action with your networks. As a signatory of the People’s Agenda, it is an honor to stand with SPAARCin demanding changes to policing in the City of Syracuse.

Rally: Does Black Life Matter? People’s Agenda for Policing

Hosted by SPAARC and coalition member organizations.

We need the community to come out in numbers to show support for much needed change and the call to action for social justice! Please share in your groups, networks and we hope to see you Saturday Aug 1!

CNYSC members: would you like to volunteer on that day of the rally? Many volunteers are needed to make the day a success and efforts are underway. Contact marianna.kaufman@gmail.comif you would like to pass water or walk petitions, or if you are a legal observer or trained marshal or medic.”

RALLY Health Tips: Take Care of yourself!

· Wear a face covering

· Stay hydrated

· Use hand sanitizer

· Don’t yell; use signs & noise makers instead

· Stick to a small group

· Keep 6 feet from other groups

· Consider limiting your time of exposure

Articles of the week:

The Supreme Court Built America’s Broken Policing System And It’s Working Just As Intended Read Here

For over 50 years, the court has provided “super powers” to American police that free them to stop and frisk, use deadly force and evade accountability.

“Beginning in 1968, amid rising white anxiety about the unrest in urban Black communities largely instigated by police brutality and crime, the court has signed off on controversial police practices marking a near total reinterpretation of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments while also creating a multi-step system protecting police from accountability when they are charged with abuse.”

From our Friend David Driesen, on Syracuse.com:

Constitutional law expert: This election is about the survival of American democracy Read it Here.

“Many people who Trump openly admires — such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — use attacks and insults as a major governing tool. All of these leaders have one thing in common. They have all dismantled democracies to establish autocracies, not through a sudden coup, but by using attacks on individuals and institutions to destroy checks and balances over several years.”

How to Establish a Support Circle–In case you missed this a few months ago, maybe it’s time to revisit Carole Resnick’s extremely wise, caring, and specific tips for starting and maintaining an online support group.

NY needs your help: If you haven’t already, fill out your Census response today.

Fewer responses mean our state risks losing out on New York’s share of $1.5 trillion in federal money distributed based on Census data. Money from the Census is used for an array of services including hospitals, first-responders, schools, SNAP benefits, and more. Every response counts.

New York’s poor response rate comes as our state faces a massive $13 billion budget deficit caused by the pandemic. Local governments are also feeling the crunch, and responding by cutting critical services. Losing out on Census dollars would only add to the fiscal pain.FILL OUT THE CENSUS

EVENTS/ACTIONS CALENDAR

We’ve all Missed ArtRage. Here’s a quick fix:

8 MINUTES 46 SECONDS: A VIRTUAL EXHIBITION

July 16, 2020 to August 23, 2020 CLICK HERE TO VIEW EXHIBITION

Four Syracuse photographers capture the current move ment for racial justice and police accountability; Ciara Feltham, Dennis Fernando, Maranie Rae Staab and Julio Urrutia.

Virtual Teach-In on Police-Free Schools

Wednesday, July 29,2020 5-7 PM

Online: Zoom / FB Live
Link: TBA Go to

Hosted by Rebirth SYR, Syracuse Police Accountability and Reform Coalition-SPAARC

Join Youth Cuse BLM, Raha Syracuse, The People’s Agenda for Policing collective and the youth of Syracuse in demanding the removal of Security Resource Officers (SROs) from our schools. Panelists Yusuf Abdul Qadir, Jessica Elliot, Sarhia Rahim, Afiya Rahman, Amina Salahou, and Nikeeta Slade will discuss the demand to cancel the SRO contract with the Syracuse City School District and reallocation of funds to culturally competent mental health counselors, community intervention workers, and a curriculum that reflects Black, indigenous, and people of color histories and stories.
ASK QUESTIONS — The People’s Agenda for Policing received a response from City Hall and SCSD. The panel will respond to the evasive, disingenuous and ill informed rebuttals and offer the viewing public an opportunity to ask questions. The panel will be moderated by Black Leadership Coalition co-founder Gina Iliev.

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America: Richard Rothstein and Kara Murray-Badal,The Mosaic Project Info Here

Thursday, July 30, 2020. 11AM PST

$10 Sliding Scale

Join us for an essential, timely conversation with Richard Rothstein, author of New York Times top-10 bestseller The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, with Kara Murray-Badal, Board Member, The Mosaic Project.

In The Color of Law, Richard Rothstein argues with exacting precision and fascinating insight how segregation in America—the incessant kind that continues to dog our major cities and has contributed to so much recent social strife—is the byproduct of explicit government policies at the local, state, and federal levels.

FOCUS Greater Syracuse and Syracuse University 2020 Citizens Academy

August 1 – Deadline for Application

Topics that will be covered include: Community Vitality; Economic Vitality; Environmental Stewardship; Schools, Scholars and Resources; Public Safety; Planning, Land Use and Transportation; Local Government Budget and Finance; and the Organization of Local Government.

The 2020 session will run for eight Wednesday evenings from Sept. 9 through Oct. 28, 2020 and may be in a virtual format if necessary. The class is held from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. with a boxed meal provided at sites throughout the community. Each night, government officials and representatives convene to discuss challenges and opportunities their departments face and to answer participants’ questions.

Applicants can apply online at focussyracuse.org/citizens-academy or call 315-448-8732 for an application.

Does Black Life Matter? Rally

Aug. 1, Noon at City Hall (see above)

Building Pro-Black Institutions and Movements

Tuesday, August 4, 2020, 1-3pm ET AND Monday, August 10, 2020 1-3pm ET

2 online sessions. $120. Scholarships available. Tickets

by Equity in the Center

This session is for organizational leaders seeking to disrupt the ways anti-Blackness shows up within teams, organizations and communities.

This two-part webinar for multi-racial participants aims to disrupt the ways anti-Blackness shows up in organizations and communities.

The facilitated workshop will involve interactive exercises and an experiential dialogue using historical and contemporary information, self-reflection, institutional analysis, visioning, and collective action planning.

Ending Militarization at Home and Abroad

Tuesday, Aug. 4 7-9 PM

A panel presentation and discussion, organized by the Pan African Community of Central New York, Syracuse Peace Council and Veterans for Peace Chapter 51
RSVP required via Zoom – register here RSVPs accepted through 6.45 pm on August 4.
Reframing Public Safety – The need to demilitarize and defund the police – Alice “Queen” Olom, Black Lives Matter Syracuse and Emily Singletary, Unchained

Citizens’ Town Hall: Anti-Poverty Work is Anti-Racist Work

Hosted by PEACE, Inc. and Greater Syracuse HOPE

Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 5:30 PM – 7 PM Online event

We know that concentrated poverty is a multi-layered issue where one of the drivers is racism. Of course, racism does not stop at police brutality, but is entrenched in all of our systems. That’s why we say anti-poverty work is anti-racist work.
Please join us and community leaders at our citizens’ town hall as we discuss the intersections of poverty and racism.
Panelists include: Rasheada Caldwell, PEACE Inc.; Lanessa Chaplin, New York Civil Liberties Union; Tom Dellwo, Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center; Dietra Harvey, Utica ESPR; Senator Rachel May; Wil Murtaugh, ACR Health; Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens; Brian Schultz, Centro

Manlius Democrats Virtual Rally with Dana Balter!

Tuesday, Aug.4, 7-9 PM

Now that we are past the primary and well into campaign season, our hope is to bring Democrats from all over Manlius to hear about Dana. Register

Jubilee Homes Fundraiser 2020

August 5, starting at 3 PM

Details here

Join us as we celebrate Jubilee Homes of Syracuse’s 33rd anniversary fundraiser!
We will utilize a pickup/delivery model based out of Jubilee Homes’ Southwest Community Learning Farm. In collaboration with the Allyn Foundation, we will sell specially prepared meals from the kitchens of some of the restaurateurs who will open within the Salt City Market in Downtown Syracuse. Orders will include selections from SOULutions, Erma’s Island, Miss Prissy’s, and Cake Bar. Tickets are $60

Uprising! Race and Reckoning in Syracuse

Aug. 5 Wed 7 PM · Online Event

For Syracuse DSA’s General Meeting we invite not only our whole membership body, but also the community as a whole to explore the movement for black lives. Discussion on black liberation will inform and inspire us on a range of topics: ending police brutality, defunding police, abolition, and reparations for starters. REGISTER today

Hiroshima Day 75th Anniversary Commemoration

Thursday, August 6, 12:00 pm

Syracuse City Hall (233 E Washington St, Syracuse, NY 13202)

This year marks the 75th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. As we commemorate the devastation of those events, we also must organize for a world in which we are free of nuclear weapons and nuclear domination, and ensure that such destruction and suffering (or worse) never happens again. We will gather on the steps of Syracuse City Hall to hear stories of people directly affected by nuclear weapons, testing, and misspent resources; honor the activism over the years that has produced safeguards against nuclear war; and learn how we can build on our progress with the Back from the Brink campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons.

We ask that everyone keep each other safe by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing at this event.

This event will be livestreamed on our Facebook page for those unable to be there in person. Go to https://www.facebook.com/syracusepeacecouncil1936 to view.

Virtual Town hall with 50th Senate Candidate John Mannion

August 13, 2020; 5:30-6:30

Join us for a Town Hall with Mannion for State SenateJohn Mannion is back running again after a super close race in 2018. We will talk about his race this time around and what is at stake.. You can join and ask questions as well. To join confirm your spotand we will email you Zoom information.

“Sandwich Saturday” together we stand fundraiser

Sunday, Aug. 23, 2:30 PM FB Link

Please join us “Together We Stand fundraiser” let’s join together and celebrate Humanity, share love and kindness, Demonstrate peace and equality. To continue these efforts we need your help! to help us maintain our food pantry and street services for the homeless and to secure the future of Sandwich Saturday.

Street Heat – Weekly Protests are back with Physical Distancing!

HANCOCK: our decade-long protests against Hancock’s piloting killer reaper drones over the Islamic oil lands continue. 6000 East Molloy Rd every Tuesday from 4:15 to 5 p.m.

DEWITT: Weekly protest against IDF terrorism, maiming and killing of Palestinians. Fridays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. at Erie Blvd E and E Genesee, Dewitt. Park in the nearby mini-mall parking lot.

REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET: anti-weaponized drones/anti-militarism protest: 9 to 9:45 a.m Saturdays . directly across from the market’s main entrance on Park Street.

HOW TO HELP: Volunteer or Donate

A new group that grew out of the protests:

RebirthSYR is committed to changing the way black and brown people are treated when they interact with the police. We are dedicated to building black and brown power in our community and advocating for changes in law enforcement in the city, county, and across the nation. RebirthSYR’s vision is to build community capacity through building financial and voting power. We want to make sure we elect the correct people in office and vote those who do not out. As Malcolm said, ‘let your ballot be your bullet!’

Donations to this GoFundMe will go towards:
-Protesting Supplies including but not limited to waters, Gatorade, ice, snacks, face masks, hand sanitizer, etc.
-Demonstration set-up and planning including but not limited to A/V equipment and speakers, permits, rental fees for spaces, security, etc.
-Bail fund for protesters in event of arrest.
-Community Outreach projects and educational materials that support the mission and vision of RebirthSYR. Knowledge is power. We want to help raise financial, voting, and civil rights literacy to build power in the black and brown community.
Check out RebirthSYR on Facebook for more ways to get involved and upcoming events.

National Action Network GoFundMe for student computers. Donate Here

Many Syracuse City students are in need of computers to complete their work. Many do not even have access to cable television to participate on WCNY. NAN Syracuse Chapter has at least 45 requests for assistance in obtaining devices for high school and middle school students. Some have immediate needs and some are students with disabilities.

National Groups: Here’s Where You Can Donate to HelpProtests Against Police Brutality.Links to Bail funds, legal aid, and other organizations working to help activists seeking justice for George Floyd and other victims of police violence

For example, ActBlue: Split a donation between 39 community bail funds

Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network(SIRDN): fund to

support undocumented workers and families. DONATE HERE

Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseIRDN/

Political/Electoral Actions, Donations

Ready to Flip the Senate this Year? Indivisible’s Payback Projectisout to do just that! This would be a great place to put your stimulus check to work!

Dana Balter for Congress: We need a progressive voice representing us in Congress, instead of someone who endorses Donald Trump for President! https://electdanabalter.com/

FINDING HELP/RESOURCES

Also see COVID19 InfoBelow

SIRDN Covid19 Warm Line: (315) 552-1670

Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network(SIRDN) Coronavirus-related information for farmworker, immigrant, undocumented, day laborer, and domestic worker communities. English and Spanish-speaking operators. Text and phone.

SIRDN has also created a resource document for COVID-19 information, for immigrants and undocumentedfolks. English and Spanish Or use these instructions to have Google translate .

COVID-19 INFORMATION

If you do not have a doctor and have questions, symptoms, or may have been exposed to COVID-19, call Upstate University Hospital’s Triage Line at 315.464.397

Assistance connecting with health and human services: call 211 or visit211cny.com

Onondaga County Coronaviris Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information Page

COVID-19 Testing Hotline:

Upstate University Hospital Regional Triage (COVID-19) Information Page

NYS Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Page

Johns Hopkins – Coronavirus Disease 2019 vs. the Flu

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) webpage.

New York Attorney General Coronavirus Resources and Warnings

FCC Consumer Warnings and Safety Tips

FTC Coronavirus Scam Information

NYS Free Mental Health Hotline: 1-844-863-9314

Onondaga County Meals Help Line for Onondaga County: 315-218-1987